NBA's Jason Collins Reveals He's Gay

Jason Collins, a 12-year NBA veteran, most recently for the Washington Wizards, became the first active athlete from one of the four major American pro-sports leagues to publicly reveal he is gay with a first-person account in a Sports Illustrated cover story this week.

"I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay," Collins wrote in the story.

Collins said he pondered coming out in 2011 during the NBA lockout, when the labor stoppage gave him plenty of free time and "forced me to confront who I really am and what I really want." It took a little more time, however, since he didn't come out to his brother, fellow NBA player Jarron, until last summer. He called the move to make the announcement preemptive "I shouldn't have to live under the threat of being outed. The announcement should be mine to make, not TMZ's," he wrote, adding that the only nod he gave to his sexuality this season was wearing then number 98 to honor the antigay hate crimes that occurred in 1998, specifically Matthew Shepard, a Wyoming student who was murdered.

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"It's nothing he's not prepared for, you couldn't ask for a better, more eloquent role model," said John Amaechi, a former NBA center who came out after his playing career ended. "He's well-equipped for what's to come and he'll become the de-facto spokesperson for all things gay in sports. I am more than happy to relinquish that mantle to him."

Amaechi said he spoke with Collins often in the runup to the story and met with Jason's brother, Jarron, in Los Angeles a few weeks ago. The meeting, which lasted hours, left Amaechi with the notion that Collins' family is incredibly supportive. "The problem won't be from his teammates, it won't be from the NBA, that's a machinery that is already well-advanced with an insistence of performing at your best."

Amaechi cautioned that the move won't be "a tipping point," and that acceptance of gays in America will rely more on congress than basketball. Still, he said he's already heard from college and high school athletes who want to come out.

"As [deputy commissioner] Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue."

Collins, who is a free agent, said he doesn't mind if fans heckle him. He hasn't come out to anyone in the NBA. "I've been booed before. There have been times when I've wanted to boo myself," he wrote. He said the Boston Marathon bombings changed his perspective on coming out since, he realized, circumstances in life can quickly change.

"We are extremely proud of Jason and support his decision to live his life proudly and openly," said Washington Wizards team president Ernie Grunfeld. "He has been a leader on and off the court and an outstanding teammate throughout his NBA career. Those qualities will continue to serve him both as a player and as a positive role model for others of all sexual orientation."

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, Collins's former coach, said he is "extremely happy and proud" of Collins. "If you have learned anything from Jackie Robinson, it is that teammates are always the first to accept. It will be society who has to learn tolerance," Rivers said.

Aaron McQuade, head of GLAAD's sports program, said in a statement, "We hope that his future team will welcome him, and that fans of the NBA and sports in general will applaud him. We know that the NBA will proudly support him, and that countless young LGBT Athletes now have a new hero."

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace tweeted a remark that questioned why anyone would want to be homosexual. "All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys," he wrote. A Dolphins spokesperson said that Wallace has apologized for the comments. "We believe in a culture of inclusiveness and respect," the spokesman said, "and any statements to the contrary are in no way acceptable to our organization."

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